The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Pest Control Policy Version : 2.1 Effective from: 17 June 2014 Expiry date: 17 June 2017 Date ratified: 11 December 2013 Ratified by: Estates Senior Management Team 1 Introduction The policy relates to the provision of a pest control service to all properties within Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust. Pests encountered in health care premises are not specific disease carriers however may of these pests have the ability to carry bacteria within their gut or on their bodies. It is therefore desirable to create a pest free environment but the resilience of some species and their ability to survive make this a difficult task. Pests can be divided into three distinct groups: 1. Crawling Insects:- cockroaches, house crickets, silverfish, garden ants etc. 2. Rodents:- rats and mice 3. Exotic Ants:- Pharoah s ant. 2 Scope The policy applies to all premises which are owned or managed by Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 3 Aims The aim of the policy to is ensure that, as far as possible, pests within the Trust s premises are kept to an absolute minimum with the ideal being eradication but due to the resilience and persistence of some species this ideal is impossible to achieve. 4 Duties (Roles and responsibilities) 4.1 The Executive Team is accountable to the Trust Board for ensuring Trust wide compliance with this policy. 4.2 The Director of Estates and Facilities is responsible to the Executive team for ensuring the implementation of the policy. 4.3 Managers are responsible for ensuring policy implementation and promoting awareness of the policy amongst their employees. 4.4 The Senior Building Officer or Site Manager (Authorised Officer)for each property is responsible for advising on best practise, day to day implementation of the policy and periodic monitoring of performance of the Pest Control Contactor. They will ensure that all necessary information is cascaded to the relevant staff. They will consult with Infection Prevention Page 1 of 5
Control and the Health and Safety Advisor before permitting the use of any non-specified pesticides. They will initiate and support any remedial works required for pest prevention and control. 4.5 The Estates Department are responsible for maintaining an up to date contract with an appropriate Pest Control Contractor. 4.6 The Estates Helpdesk will receive all reports of sightings or evidence of pests. They will enter the details of such notifications into the Jobseeker system, (type, location and time). They will then report the call to the pest control contractor. The details will be printed out from Jobseeker, filed and the files kept in the Helpdesk Office. 4.7 The Pest Control Contractor attends site, takes appropriate action, completes a service report which is then filed in the Helpdesk Office. 4.8 The Pest Control Contractor shall rid the premises of the pests using only approved pesticides and maintain the locations to the required standard for the duration of the contract. The contractor will also respond to unscheduled requests to effectively rid the premises of further pests. The contractor will supply all goods and materials to carry out the service. Any use of smoke, dust or fog forming formulations shall be notified to the SBO or Site Manager beforehand and the methods and timing agreed. 4.9 After every site visit the Contractor shall provide a service report detailing:- Time and date of visit Type of visit i.e. routine, call out or follow up. Location inspected or visited Evidence of pests Products used their HSE reference number and quantity. Any proofing, housekeeping or hygiene recommendations to eliminate causes of infestation. Any precautions to be observed by Trust staff as a result of action by the Contractor Service Specialist signature. 5 Definitions:- Pesticide:- a chemical used to destroy insects and other pests such as rodents Insecticide:- a chemical used specifically to destroy insects Rodenticide:- a chemical used specifically to destroy rodents Harbourage:- a refuge or shelter for pests (in this document) Infestation:- an invasion of unwanted pests. 6 Reporting a. All sightings or evidence of pests should be reported to the Helpdesk (Telephone extension 21000 or 0191 2821000) at the earliest opportunity. b. Outside of normal working hours the report should be made to the appropriate on call builder. Page 2 of 5
c. The contractor will be notified of the sighting report. The contractor shall attend site to carry out emergency treatment within twenty four hours. d. Reports of pests should include Location, i.e. ward, department, clinic etc. Precise location i.e. bathroom office etc. Type of pest if known. Possible numbers and frequency of sighting The name of the person reporting The date and time of sighting. 7 Basic Pest Prevention and Control Measures Food should be covered or stored in airtight pest proof containers Spillages should be promptly removed. Waste should be stored in a manner suitable to prevent access by pests Where food waste is concerned; plastic bin liners should always be used. Waste containers should be cleaned regularly to prevent a build up of soil which may attract flies. Accumulations of static/stagnant water should be avoided. Buildings should be of sound structure and well maintained. Drains should be covered; leaking pipework repaired and damaged surfaces made good. Defects should be reported to the Estates Helpline. Cracks in plaster and woodwork, unsealed areas around pipework, damaged tiles and badly fitted equipment are all likely to provide excellent harbourage and therefore should be maintained in a stable condition. Where fitted fly screens should always be closed when windows are open. Doors to food preparation areas should always be kept closed. Food kept in ward beverage bays should be regularly checked and discarded if out of date. Treatment with insecticides and rodenticides is seldom sufficient; attention must be paid to good hygiene and structure maintenance. 8 Pest Groups (as specified in the contract) Rodents, common rat (Rattus rvegicus), Ship Rat (Rattus Rattus) house mouse (Mus domesticus) Crawling insects All species of cockroach (Blattaria) House cricket (Acheta domesticus) Exotic ants Pharoahs Ants (Monomorium Pharaonis) There is obviously a potential for the presence of other pests these are the most common encountered within the Trust. Any other pests which appear are dealt with extra contractually by the contractor. 9 List of approved pesticides This section lists the pesticides which may be used by the contractor. They have all been approved by the Health and safety Executive under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. Page 3 of 5
9.1 General Purpose Rodenticides Trade name Active ingredient Clearance Solo blox Brodifacoum 0.005% HSE 7038 Klerat Brodifacoum 0.005% HSE 6703 Contac Blox Bromadiolone0.005% HSE 6718 Roban Okta Blok Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 7474 Paragon Difenacoum Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 8200 Roban Contact Gel Difenacoum 0.1% HSE 8378 Deadline Contact Dust Bromadiolone 0.15% HSE 6722 Roban Pasta Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 8116 Sakarat D Wax Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 7489 Roban Concentrate Difenacoum 0.25% HSE 7452 9.2 General Purpose Insecticides Trade name Active ingredient Clearance EcoAlpha Alpha-cypermethrin 5% HSE 7680 Tetramethrin 5% Ficam W Bendiocarb 80% HSE 5390 Aquapy Synergised pyrethrins HSE5799 Ficam D Bendiocarb 1% HSE 4829 Dia -Secticide Diatomaceous Earth Exempt Diatom Digrain Ant Gel Permethrin 0.5% HSE7621 Maxforce White IC Imidaclorid 2.15% HSE 8320 Digrain Control Tetramethrin 0.24% HSE7493 Permethrin 0.25% Digrain One Shot Permethrin 1.46% HSE7711 Sorex Wasp Nest Destroyer Tetramethrin 0.05% HSE 8275 MK2 10 Training specific training is necessary to comply with the policy however it will be covered in the induction process for new starters. 11 Equality and Diversity The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as reasonably practicable, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. This document has been appropriately assessed. Page 4 of 5
12 Monitoring Standard / Process / Issue Monitoring and Audit Method By Committee Frequency Monitoring of the number of infestations, response times and the need for repeat visits to ensure compliance with the contract. Using Jobseeker to assess the number of infestations notified per month. Obtaining data from the site log books to assess response times and repeat visits. Chief Building Officer Quarterly The following will be monitored by the Authorised Officer:- The number of reported infestations The number of reported sightings dealt with within twenty four hours The number of actions taken as a result of non-compliance within the basic control measures. 13 Consultation and Review This policy will be reviewed every two years. Comments, queries and suggested amendments should be made to the Chief Building Officer. 14 Policy Implementation A single page briefing will be available for staff. Copoies of the policy will be available via the Trust Intranet. An overview of the policy will be presented by the Chief Building Officer at the Trust Communications meeting. 15 References The Newcastle upon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Contract for the Provision of Pest Control Services from 1 st April 2011 to 31 st March 2014. The Health and Safety Executive Biocide and Pesticides web site:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/. Page 5 of 5
THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST IMPACT ASSESSMENT SCREENING FORM A This form must be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the appropriate committee for consideration and approval. Policy Title: Pest Control Policy Policy Author: Richard Welch Yes/? You must provide evidence to support your response: 1. Does the policy/guidance affect one group less or more favourably than another on the basis of the following: (* denotes protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010) This policy does not impact any group less or more favourably than another and applies equally to all staff in the Trust Race * Ethnic origins (including gypsies and travellers) Nationality Gender * Culture Religion or belief * Sexual orientation including lesbian, gay and bisexual people * Age * Disability learning difficulties, physical disability, sensory impairment and mental health problems * Gender reassignment * Marriage and civil partnership * 2. Is there any evidence that some groups are affected differently? 3. If you have identified potential discrimination which can include associative discrimination i.e. direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a protected characteristic, are any exceptions valid, legal and/or justifiable? 4(a). Is the impact of the policy/guidance likely to be negative? (If yes, please answer sections 4(b) to 4(d)). 4(b). If so can the impact be avoided? 4(c). What alternatives are there to achieving the policy/guidance without the impact? 4(d) Can we reduce the impact by taking different action? Comments: Action Plan due (or t Applicable): N/A Name and Designation of Person responsible for completion of this form: Richard Welch, Estates Officer, Campus for ageing and Vitality Date: 11 th December 2013 Names & Designations of those involved in the impact assessment screening process: Richard Welch, Estates Officer, Campus for ageing and Vitality (If any reader of this procedural document identifies a potential discriminatory impact that has not been identified on this form, please refer to the Policy Author identified above, together with any suggestions for the actions required to avoid/reduce this impact.) For advice on answering the above questions please contact Frances Blackburn, Head of Nursing, Freeman/Walkergate, or, Christine Holland, Senior HR Manager. On completion this form must be forwarded electronically to Steven Stoker, Clinical Effectiveness Manager, (Ext. 24963) steven.stoker@nuth.nhs.uk together with the procedural document. If you have identified a potential discriminatory impact of this procedural document, please ensure that you arrange for a full consultation, with relevant stakeholders, to complete a Full Impact Assessment (Form B) and to develop an Action Plan to avoid/reduce this impact; both Form B and the Action Plan should also be sent electronically to Steven Stoker within six weeks of the completion of this form. IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM A October 2010